Intrigue follows Comets' addition Saucerman

Tuesday

UTICA — Colton Saucerman hasn’t appeared in a game with the Comets, but there’s already a buzz around the defenseman.

That’s the result when you have a name fit for hockey.

It is Saucerman’s majestic, flowing reddish-brown beard that reached far below the neckline of his black Comets practice jersey Tuesday that has easily grabbed the most attention, though.

"Hopefully, I can live up to the name and the beard," Saucerman said with a smile.

The Comets’ addition of the 26-year-old Saucerman — who has played with eight teams between the ECHL and American Hockey League after a four-year career at Northeastern University ended in 2016 — on a professional tryout contact has generated a tremendous amount of interest on social media over the past few days.

"My phone was going off last night in the airport," Saucerman said after his first practice with the Comets on Tuesday. "I was reading some of it and it is pretty hilarious."

Intrigue surrounding Saucerman — whose nickname is "Sauce" — has appeared on more than a few popular websites and blogs as well as on Twitter. That includes a post from ESPN personality and hockey enthusiast John Buccigross on Tuesday.

The beard reflects the 5-foot-9, 194-pound Saucerman’s demeanor: full, refined and jovial. It has also helped keep him from "a lot of face work" as pucks and sticks "seem to glance off it," he said.

"It takes about eight months to get the length and it is maintenance after that," said Saucerman, who had to shave it for Toronto camp last year. "An ice cream cone is pretty tough (to eat). … Burgers and hot dogs and stuff like that are just a mess."

There are nicknames, of course. Saucerman said Yukon Cornelius, the character from the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, is popular around the holidays. He’s also drawn comparisons to Game of Thrones’ character Tormund Giantsbane, who sports a similar look. For Halloween, the beard helped Saucerman pull off an uncanny resemblance to Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty.

"It was a pretty good costume, I must say," he said.

Saucerman — who played against Thatcher Demko and Tanner MacMaster in college and with current Utica forward Tony Cameranesi at ECHL Manchester — appeared to be an instant hit with the Comets.

"I really enjoy it," veteran Jaime Sifers said. "I was texting with one of his old teammates last night who saw he was coming here. He said he was a great guy and obviously has an awesome beard."

Saucerman joins the Comets (12-13-1-1, tied for 4th in the North Division) at a time when they’re without injured defensemen Jalen Chatfield, Olli Juolevi, Ashton Sautner and Dylan Blujus (day-to-day).

Comets coach Trent Cull said he doesn’t know a lot about Saucerman, but hopes he can step in and "play big minutes." Saucerman showed off a solid shot Tuesday among his skills.

"I try to be productive every shift I’m out there," he said. "Being a smaller guy, I don’t shy away from contact. I try to be offensive and jump into the play and get my shots through. I definitely take care of my (defensive) zone. Obviously, that’s first and foremost. … I think you’re going to notice me every shift I’m out there."

Binghamton players suspended

Two Binghamton Devils were suspended by the AHL on Tuesday for hits on Comets players.

Ryan Schmelzer got two games for an illegal check to the head of defenseman Guillaume Brisebois in the second period of Utica’s win Saturday. Eric Tangradi will sit a game for a "boarding incident" on Sautner, who is "out indefinitely" with facial injuries.

"Those are two hits we thought were a little bit … on edge," Cull said Tuesday.

On the play involving Brisebois, the defenseman played the puck behind the Comets net facing the boards. Schmelzer’s feet appear to leave the ice as he makes contact. Brisebois, who practiced Tuesday, needed stitches as a result of the hit, Cull said.

Schmelzer will sit Wednesday at Rochester and Friday in Utica.

Tangradi’s hit on Sautner happened in the first period as the defenseman also played a puck near the boards and Tangradi’s upper body made contact to his face. Sautner fell awkwardly into the boards. Tangradi was given a five-minute boarding penalty.

"He was writhing in pain and you never want to see that out of anybody, especially one of your teammates," said Sifers, who helped Sautner off the ice.

Tangradi — who could be in the lineup when Binghamton visits Utica on Friday — apologized on Twitter on Monday. Cull and Sifers were unaware of the apology until a reporter mentioned it Tuesday.

"Things happen. It is a fast game. I was on the ice and I didn’t see what happened," Sifers said. "At the end of the day, opponents ... are not looking to hurt anybody. ... Good for him for getting out there and reaching out."

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